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Discover Penn State football depth chart 2023 with stars like Drew Allar and Nick Singleton. Get insights, stats, and tips from a 10-3 season.
Picture yourself flipping through old game highlights, trying to recall who lined up where for Penn State’s thrilling 2023 season. Maybe you’re a die-hard Nittany Lions fan, or perhaps you’re digging into the past for a fantasy draft or a friendly debate. Either way, the 2023 Penn State football depth chart is a hot topic, especially since the team doesn’t release an official one. Let’s break down the key players, battles, and moments from that 10-3 season, using expert projections and stats to paint a clear picture.
Key Takeaways:
- Penn State’s 2023 roster boasted young talent like quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.
- No official depth chart existed, so we rely on projections from trusted sources like 247Sports and York Daily Record.
- The team went 10-3, with a stout defense (247.6 yards allowed per game) and a balanced offense (399.8 yards per game).
- Injuries and transfers, like Landon Tengwall’s retirement, shook up the lineup.
- Special teams, often overlooked, played a big role with kicker Alex Felkins.
Why the penn state football depth chart 2023
The 2023 season was a big deal for Penn State. Under coach James Franklin, the Nittany Lions finished 10-3, going 7-2 in the tough Big Ten East. They ranked 13th in final polls, with standout wins like a 31-0 shutout over Iowa. But here’s the catch: Franklin stopped releasing depth charts in 2021, leaving fans and analysts to piece together who played where. This article pulls from reliable sources like Sports-Reference and PennLive to give you a clear snapshot, addressing your need for accurate, historical lineup details.
Why does this matter? Whether you’re reliving the season or comparing it to 2024’s playoff run, knowing who started and who backed them up helps you understand the team’s success. Plus, it’s fun to see how young stars like Allar set the stage for future glory.
Projected Offensive Depth Chart
Let’s start with the offense, where Penn State showed serious promise in 2023. Imagine you’re at Beaver Stadium, the crowd roaring as the Nittany Lions take the field. Here’s who likely lined up, based on projections from 247Sports and York Daily Record.
Quarterback
- Starter: Drew Allar (Sophomore, 2,336 yards, 25 TDs, 2 INTs)
- Backup: Beau Pribula (Freshman, limited action)
- Insight: Allar, a five-star recruit, was the guy everyone watched. His arm strength and decision-making (only 2 picks all year!) made him a star. Pribula got some snaps but was mostly a future prospect.
Allar’s breakout was huge—think of him as the quarterback you’d bet on in a clutch moment. His 25 touchdowns tied for tops in the Big Ten.
Running Back
- Starters: Nick Singleton (Sophomore, 752 yards), Kaytron Allen (Sophomore, 902 yards)
- Backup: London Montgomery (Freshman)
- Insight: Singleton and Allen were a dynamic duo, combining for 1,654 rushing yards. They split carries almost evenly, with Allen edging out Singleton in yards.
Picture these two as best friends sharing the spotlight, powering through defenses like Iowa’s. Their versatility as runners and receivers made Penn State’s ground game elite.
Wide Receiver
- Starters: KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Junior), Dante Cephas (Senior, transfer), Harrison Wallace III (Sophomore)
- Backups: Malik McClain, Omari Evans
- Insight: The WR3 spot was a battleground. Cephas, a Kent State transfer, brought experience, but injuries to Wallace muddled rotations.
This group was young and unproven, like a band still finding its rhythm. Lambert-Smith led, but the unit struggled for consistency, especially in big games like the Peach Bowl loss to Ole Miss.
Tight End
- Starter: Theo Johnson (Junior, All-Big Ten honorable mention)
- Backup: Khalil Dinkins (Sophomore)
- Insight: Johnson was a matchup nightmare, with size and speed that earned him NFL attention. Dinkins showed promise as a pass-catcher.
Think of Johnson as the reliable friend who always shows up. His ability to stretch the field helped open lanes for Singleton and Allen.
Offensive Line
- Starters: Olu Fashanu (LT, Rimington-Pace OL of Year), Caedan Wallace (RT), Hunter Nourzad (C), others
- Backups: Drew Shelton, JB Nelson
- Insight: Fashanu was a first-round NFL draft pick, anchoring a strong line. Landon Tengwall’s pre-season retirement forced adjustments.
The line was like a sturdy wall, protecting Allar and paving the way for 2,509 team rushing yards. But injuries meant younger players like Shelton had to step up fast.
Tip: Want to dive deeper? Check game recaps on GoPSUSports for snap counts to see how Singleton and Allen split time.
Projected Defensive Depth Chart
Penn State’s defense was a brick wall in 2023, allowing just 247.6 yards per game—one of the best in the Big Ten. Let’s break down the key players who made opponents sweat.
Defensive Line
- Ends: Chop Robinson (Junior, All-Big Ten), Adisa Isaac (Senior)
- Tackles: Hakeem Beamon, Cozziah Izzard
- Insight: Robinson and Isaac were a ferocious duo, combining for 11.5 sacks. Izzard’s mid-season injury forced rotations.
Imagine these guys as the bouncers at a club, shutting down running plays and harassing quarterbacks. Their pressure was key in games like the Iowa shutout.
Linebacker
- Starters: Abdul Carter (Sophomore), Curtis Jacobs (Junior)
- Backup: Kobe King (Sophomore)
- Insight: Carter’s versatility (4.5 sacks) made him a star. Jacobs was a steady tackler, helping limit opponents to 4.2 yards per play.
Carter was like that friend who can do everything—rush the passer, cover, tackle. He was a game-changer in Penn State’s defensive scheme.
Secondary
- Corners: Kalen King (Junior), Johnny Dixon (Senior)
- Safeties: Jaylen Reed, Keaton Ellis
- Insight: King was a lockdown corner, earning All-Big Ten nods. Injuries, like Dixon’s, tested depth but didn’t break the unit.
The secondary was like a safety net, keeping big plays to a minimum. Their work helped Penn State rank among the nation’s best defenses.
Example: In the 31-0 Iowa win, the defense held Iowa to 76 total yards, with King and Reed locking down passing lanes.
Special Teams Depth Chart
Special teams often get overlooked, but they were clutch for Penn State in 2023. Here’s who handled the kicking and returning duties.
- Kicker: Alex Felkins (Senior, transfer, 19/24 FGs)
- Punter: Riley Thompson (Freshman, 42.5 yards per punt)
- Returners: Nicholas Singleton (kick), Daequan Hardy (punt)
- Insight: Felkins’ reliability (79% FG rate) was huge in close games. Singleton’s speed made him a threat on returns.
Think of Felkins as the friend who nails every shot in a pickup game. His consistency helped Penn State stay competitive in tight matchups.
Tip: For returner stats, dig into box scores on ESPN or Sports-Reference to see Singleton’s impact.
Key Position Battles and Trends
The 2023 season had some juicy position battles that kept fans guessing. Here are the big ones, based on PennLive and Rivals insights.
- WR3 Battle: Dante Cephas vs. Harrison Wallace III. Cephas brought veteran savvy, but Wallace’s injuries opened the door for others like Omari Evans.
- Right Tackle: Caedan Wallace vs. Drew Shelton. Wallace won the starting job, but Shelton’s youth made him a future star.
- Trend: Youth ruled the roster. Sophomores like Allar, Singleton, and Carter signaled a bright future, setting up 2024’s playoff run.
These battles were like tryouts for a school play—everyone wanted the lead, but only a few could shine. The youth movement was a big storyline, with freshmen and
